It’s not New York. But Chicago…
Yes, Chicago comes in a close second. Chicago in the summer, that is.
I came for business and stayed for a fun-filled weekend with friends in the city.
The weather was perfect – the kind that Southern California is always crowing about (and Chicago is not). And when it’s like that, Chicago comes out to play. In droves.
Chicago actually becomes unbeatable.
When you think about it, this is such an underrated city. Like the Midwest, in general. Taking on the solid, down-to-earth, unassuming qualities of a typical Midwesterner.
Yet it has everything. In droves. Chicago really deserves more respect!
It has fabulous architecture. Surrounded equally by land and water. Fantastic shopping. Super dining. Awesome music. Not to mention lots of opportunities to walk and to play. And did I say, warm and friendly people?
Now, if this visit had been in winter, I just might be singing a different song. But in the summer. ..
Why, I would rate Chicago in summer right up there as one of the best, must-see places in the world to visit before you die. No question!
Of course, you might need friends like mine – Jan and Tom – to really show you a great time. Thanks guys for going all out to show me the city that you so obviously love – my visit was wonderfully, absolutely memorable!*
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* Even the six mile Sunday walk in the sun; I know I needed the exercise! Come to think of it, I walked more this weekend than I have in a long, long while. About time!
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And here are the pictures to prove everything I said above:
[Click on one to see a slide show]
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- Beautiful Chicago – captured from my friend’s balcony
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- Live Concert on Friday night at Millennium Park. Wine, cheese, friends and live music – wonderful!
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- Captivating view of Chicago’s skyline with Lake Michigan in the foreground
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- Chicago is ready to sail!
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- Shopping down the magnificent mile; Michigan Avenue. Any time spent here is too little!
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- Lunch at a “Pour House” on Michigan Avenue…Draft beer anyone?
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- The Boat Tour by Chicago’s Architectural Foundation – what a great experience!
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- So much to see and admire on the tour!
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- Kayaking down the river…in the city center
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- Famous Soldier Field
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- More than just buildings in this beautiful city…how about a walk in the park?
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- An architect’s dream city…
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- And now for a walk along the pier
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- Time to try another place for dinner
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- Yep, we found it!
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- Downtown Chicago…fun weddings are not limited to NYC!
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- Saturday night, dinner at The Boarding House; “the place to see and be seen” – Light fixture made of hanging wine bottles in the dining room
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- And a hanging crush of wine glasses over the bar; food and drink is secondary to the ambience
100 Surya Namaskars, Anyone?
I mean, anyone? Because it won’t be me. 😦
Ah, but the time for gloating is over. It ended when I left India and returned home on Christmas day. It should not have. But it did.
For that, I only blame myself.
However, I will say that I was spoiled while living in India and I never quite got over it.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6 am and every Sunday at 8 am – on the dot – meant only one thing:
Yoga.
The spoiling came because precisely at those times, my doorbell would ring announcing the arrival of my yoga instructor.
Today, at 6 am on those days, the only ringtone I hear is from my alarm clock, prodding me awake to face a new day. 😦
Yoga for me became closely associated with the arrival of my yoga instructor and the hour plus of yoga that followed. So, ever since I returned home, I have been unable to practice it alone, all by my lonesome.
All I do is talk (and write) about beginning the regimen. Tomorrow.
When did I become such a procrastinator?
Give me strength. Give me wisdom. Give me the will so I can get started again on the wonderful journey that I began in India. The one that came to a full stop once I entered the shores of the United States.
Once I left Mumbai eight months ago, I kept in touch with my instructor and he has been telling me over these months that after my departure, he rarely practiced our Sunday norm of 100 Surya Namaskars at one go . [So I’m not the only one who needs company].
Then, this week, I got his Whatsapp message to let me know that he had just completed 100 Surya Namaskars in 60 minutes. It sounded like he was getting back into the groove with what used to be our regular weekly session.
My reply to him was short and simple – “I’m jealous”.
I’ve got to get with the program again. I’ve simply got to!
Give me strength. Give me wisdom. Give me the will to just do it. Dammit.
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Photo credit: By Ursula [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons
The Yin and Yang of Life Anywhere 